A LEGAL challenge over voter ID trials which will take place during local elections this summer has been rejected by a High Court judge.

The Braintree district is one of nine local authorities which will require residents to take along a piece of photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID to vote in May.

Neil Coughlan, 64, from Witham, brought the crowdfunded legal action against the Government, arguing the scheme would stop people from being able to vote.

His lawyers claimed the pilot was not valid under the Representation of the People Act 2000 which sets out rules for running an election.

But his case was dismissed by Mr Justice Supperstone, who said the pilot schemes had been "made lawfully".

Mr Coughlan raised more than £32,500 through the CrowdJustice website to fund the legal action.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: “We welcome the ruling which enables us to continue piloting with a diverse group of local authorities - this is a sensible way to ensure voter ID works for everybody ahead of national rollout.

“This is a reasonable approach to strengthening the integrity of our elections and if people have confidence in the electoral system, they are more likely to participate in it.

“Showing ID is something people already do everyday when they pick up a parcel at the Post Office, claim their benefits, or take out a library book.”